Spring 2020 | Week 10 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego
A Message of Solidarity
Dear UC San Diego International Students, 
 
As you may know, last Friday (5/29),  Chancellor Khosla sent a campus-wide statement  regarding the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. We acknowledge how incredibly difficult and overwhelming the past few months have been for each and every one of you. As you prepare for final exams and balance the weight of this global pandemic, the added emotions stemming from this week’s recent events surrounding injustice and inequality in our society have led many of you to ask questions in this time of such great uncertainty. 
 
The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) stands in unity with our Black community--faculty, staff, scholars, researchers, and students—and fellow Tritons to fight against racism and injustice. ISPO is committed to doing what we can to cultivate a sense of belonging amongst our campus community and to instill the notion that they matter at UC San Diego. Having a diverse overall student body and strong international student community are a critical component of our University and play an important role in educating future changemakers and global leaders. 
 
In Solidarity, 
 
Dulce Amor L. Dorado 
Director 
International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) 
UC San Diego 
Reminders and Upcoming Deadlines
HOW CAN ACTIVISM IMPACT MY F-1/J-1 STATUS?

At any time, it is important to avoid any activities that may jeopardize your F-1 or J-1 status. In addition to enrollment requirements, address reporting, or employment restrictions individuals in non-immigrant status are expected to refrain from violating any U.S. state or federal laws. Please think carefully before engaging in protest activities, as arrests can seriously impact immigration status or future visa applications.

Refer to ISPO's FAQs about Immigration Policy Updates to learn more.
WHAT'S NEXT? BE PROACTIVE AND PLAN AHEAD!

Look at your most recently issued Form I-20/DS-2019 issued from ISPO. Although this is an 'expected program end date', failing to extend this program end date if you need more time to complete your program before the date listed can cause some problems for you and your immigration status. Once this date passes, ISPO is no longer able to extend the program end date. Find out how to extend your program end date...

St  udents who do plan on completing their program this quarter will have several options following their final term.  After the last day of your graduating quarter, you can remain in the U.S. during your grace period. F-1 students have a 60-day grace period while J-1 students have a 30-day grace period. Note you must take one of the following actions below BEFORE the end of your grace period.


  • Apply for post-completion employment authorization (Note: J-1 students must apply and be approved for Academic Training before the completion of their program)
  • Transfer your SEVIS record to another school in the U.S. (Note: J-1 students must apply and be approved for the SEVIS transfer before the completion of their program)
  • Change to another visa status
  • Prepare to return to your home country and depart the U.S.
  • Apply for a Change of Level (Note: Only if you've been accepted to another program of study at UC San Diego)

Visit iStudents.ucsd to learn more...
GRADUATING THIS QUARTER AND NEED HOUSING AFTER GRADUATION?

The Summer Transition Housing Program is for Spring 2020 graduates looking for flexible housing accommodations on campus this summer due to extenuating circumstances presented by #CO VID19. Students who may need flexible housing accommodations this summer and meet the eligibility criteria below will have the opportunity to apply for short-term transition housing on campus for Summer 2020. Housing availability runs from June 15 through September 5, 2020.
Stay Connected from Home | iPrograms and Events
CHINESE STUDENTS TOWN HALL
U.S.-China relations have further deteriorated during the pandemic. As a result, nationalist rhetoric from both sides and racism against Chinese nationals and the diaspora have ramped up, impacting the experience and future of Chinese international students.
 
Join the 21 st Century China Center for a virtual town hall on the worsening state of bilateral relations and the ramifications for the well-being of Chinese students, and the importance for universities such as UC San Diego to cultivate trans-Pacific talent, innovation, and bridge-building.
 
Student panelists:
Cecilia Cai, Chinese Scholars and Student Association
Anqi Dong, Chinese Union
Songyue Zhang, China Focus
 
Faculty/Staff panelists:
Dulce Dorado, Int’l Students & Programs Office
Richard Madsen, Fudan-UC Center on Contemporary China
Barry Naughton, School of Global Policy & Strategy
Susan Shirk, 21 st Century China Center
 
ISPO Coffee Hour: Senior Send-Off! 
Join us for ISPO Coffee Hours - virtually! Bring your favorite mug and cozy up to your screen on Tuesdays at 10am (PST). Whether it be your morning coffee or evening tea, we look forward to seeing you there! And on  Tuesday, June 2nd  we will be co-hosting with our  International Peer Coaches  to  celebrate our graduating seniors ! Come reminisce about your last four years of San Diego (or even just this last year)!   
Tell Us How We Can Help You! We're Ready To Help!

With generous support from the Associated Students International Student Support Initiative, the iTable program has been expanded to include additional emergency and special relief funding for students experiencing hardships due to COVID-19 which include but is not limited to:

  • Food Insecurity
  • Housing Insecurity
  • Technical and Academic Support Needs
  • Tuition & Other Financial hardships
  • Support Forums & Mental Health Resources

Students that participate in the iTable program may also be connected to other special relief funds to address hardship they may be experiencing in other areas. ISPO is here to listen and offer our help! If you are seeking assistance, please fill out the  iTable Referral Form  for support.
Intercultural Social Hour
Let's Play! Join us for cross-cultural conversations and games - online! At Intercultural Social Hour you can share your international interests and experiences while making friends in a relaxing and fun environment. Join from wherever you are and let's play across time zones!!   Join us on Wednesday, June 3 from 3-4pm (PST).
Alone Together: COVID-19 Emotional Support Forum for International Students   
We are alone together. CAPS & ISPO are offering an Emotional Support Forum for International Students! Sharing connection, coping strategies, physical and psychological safety will help us fuel resilience. This is a weekly drop-in forum and every international student is welcome. Together, we will help you manage in the face of the enormous psychological strain that COVID-19 is generating. This forum will be led by CAPS Psychologist Dr Sophia Chang.  
Weekly ISPO Chats
Let's Chat! We understand that the current COVID-19 situation affects international students in unique ways and want to ensure that your concerns are heard and addressed. The situation is evolving rapidly and we hope this form and the weekly office hours allow us to advocate on your behalf, identify solutions in a timely manner, be more proactive, and improve communication with our international student community.
Check out what else is happening around campus...
  • UCPath IIs Live Log into the UCPath Online Portal and see the new features UCPath provides. Review your personal information (name, home address) to ensure it is correct – update if necessary. Enroll in or review your direct deposit information. For questions and support contact the UCPath Rapid Response Center.
  • Bilingual Learners Project at UC San Diego - Get involved today!
  • Globally Engaged Tritons Calendar –Visit ievents.ucsd.edu to learn more about virtual global engagement programming that you can participate in no matter where you are!
  • OASIS Language Arts Tutorial Services – Spring 2020
  • Tritons Connect Tritons Connect is a Triton exclusive network where you can be matched with a mentor, post and apply for job opportunities, join a community group, access a directory of Triton community members, and so much more!
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER?  All international students studying at UC San Diego are automatically subscribed to the iStudents Newsletter to ensure they receive proper immigration updates from our office. The information sent in this Newsletter is available on ISPO's website, iStudents.ucsd.edu, or may direct students to other external resources.  You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by emailing  [email protected]  .   Note, all international students at UC San Diego are responsible for staying up to date with immigration regulations that may affect them. To learn more, visit our website at iStudents.ucsd.edu